E/M Coding: 99058: ‘Walk-in’ Patients Alone Won’t Qualify You for This Emergency Code

Highlight the phrase "in addition to basic service."

Pediatricians don't always see patients during scheduled office visits, which means you probably see walk-in patients almost every week. Although some practices immediately stamp a 99058 code on all walk-in claims, you should avoid adding this code to your visit unless you can prove that the patient's visit is truly emergent.

Office Emergency Points to 99058

Think "emergency" and "interruption" when considering whether to include 99058 (Service[s] provided on an emergency basis in the office, which disrupts other scheduled office services, in addition to basic service) on a claim.

"It needs to truly be an emergent [...]

- Published on 2012-01-13